OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway)
OCR GCSE Physics A P8.1 Physics on the Move Exam Questions
Free OCR GCSE Physics A exam questions for P8.1 Physics on the Move, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers typical speeds and accelerations, reaction times, thinking and braking distance, stopping distance, large decelerations and road safety.
P8.1 Physics on the Move exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About OCR GCSE Physics A P8.1 Physics on the Move
P8.1 begins the P8 Global challenges chapter of OCR Gateway Physics A, which applies physics from earlier chapters to real situations. This topic focuses on transport and road safety. You need to recall typical speeds and accelerations, explain methods of measuring human reaction times, and explain the factors that affect thinking distance and braking distance. You use work done and kinetic energy ideas to estimate braking forces, and explain the dangers of large decelerations. It draws heavily on P2 Forces and P7 Energy, so it often appears in longer, synoptic questions. Examiners like stopping distance data analysis and calculations of braking force and thinking distance.
What you need to know
- Typical speeds Walking about 1.5 m/s, running about 3 m/s, cycling about 6 m/s, cars on the road up to about 30 m/s, trains up to about 50 m/s. The speed of sound in air is about 330 m/s.
- Reaction time Typically 0.2 to 0.9 s. Measure it with a ruler-drop test or a computer test. It is increased by tiredness, alcohol, drugs and distractions such as phones.
- Stopping distance Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance. Thinking distance = speed x reaction time.
- Braking distance Increased by higher speed, wet or icy roads, worn tyres or brakes and greater vehicle mass. Doubling the speed roughly quadruples the braking distance because kinetic energy depends on speed squared.
- Braking force Work done by the brakes = braking force x braking distance = kinetic energy lost. Braking transfers kinetic energy to thermal energy in the brakes.
- Large decelerations Large decelerations mean large forces, which can cause injury and make brakes overheat or the vehicle skid. Safety features increase stopping time to reduce force.
Common mistakes in P8.1 Physics on the Move
- Saying braking distance depends on reaction time. Reaction time affects thinking distance only.
- Saying doubling speed doubles braking distance. It is about four times, because KE depends on speed squared.
- Saying alcohol affects braking distance directly. It increases reaction time and so thinking distance.
- Forgetting to convert km/h or mph into m/s before calculating.
- Using total stopping distance in the braking force calculation. Use braking distance only.
Try three P8.1 Physics on the Move exam-style questions
1. A driver travelling at 20 m/s has a reaction time of 0.70 s. Calculate the thinking distance. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Thinking distance = speed x reaction time = 20 x 0.70; = 14 m.
2. A 1200 kg car travelling at 20 m/s brakes with a force of 6000 N. Calculate the braking distance. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
KE = 0.5 x 1200 x 20^2 = 240 000 J; work done by brakes = KE; braking distance = 240 000 / 6000; = 40 m.
3. Explain why driving on an icy road increases stopping distance. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
There is less friction between the tyres and the road; so the braking force is smaller and braking distance increases (thinking distance is unchanged).
P8.1 Physics on the Move FAQs
What does OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) P8.1 Physics on the Move cover?
It covers typical speeds and accelerations, reaction times, thinking and braking distances, braking forces and the dangers of large decelerations.
Which paper is P8.1 examined on?
Topics P5 to P8 are assessed on Paper 2 (Foundation) or Paper 4 (Higher), which can also draw on knowledge from P1 to P4 and practical skills.
How do I answer stopping distance questions?
Separate the stopping distance into thinking and braking distance, link each factor to the correct part, and use energy (work done = force x distance) to calculate braking forces.
